No need to give away plot points, since the whole story is absolutely predictable from start to finish. But the way it is peppered with implausible elements, almost offensive sterotypes and clichés, and a totally uninspired direction, make this movie bearable to watch only if you can enjoy unvoluntarily embarrassing, silly moments and scenes. None of the actors seem interested in what they are doing; both Sarah Jessica Parker ad Raoul Bova, elsewhere charming, make you wonder what's even remotely interesting or attractive in the characters the play. And it's quite painful to watch Claudia Cardinale delivering a grotesquely bad acted performance. Close to "so bad, it's good"; alas, it's just bad.
... View MoreMaggie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is a divorced college professor in Manhattan. So, her marriage struck out. Now, she is having serious trouble with her 17 year old daughter, Summer (Rosie Day). Summer has chosen a bad boy for a boyfriend and Maggie is at her wit's end trying to discourage her offspring. Finally, in desperation, she drags Summer away to Italy, for maybe an ocean will work wonders, Besides that, Maggie was once a grad student in Tuscany and she wants to revisit a time of happiness. But, ho, what memories indeed. Almost at once, Mags runs into Luca (Raoul Bova), a former flame, who still lives the single life in the country, caring for his 80 year old Mother (Claudia Cardinale). There's electricity in the air between the two who once loved each other. While they are engaging themselves in conversation, Summer steals a car to head back to Rome for a jet plane back home. Riding shotgun is Luca's Mama who wants to meet her fiancé in Rome to get married once and for all. This is against Luca's wishes. The two fugitives find they have much in common and bond quickly while Maggie and Luca speed off to get them back. Will love grow again on a journey to Rome for the one- time lovers? This lovely romantic comedy has so many assets. The cast is great, with Parker always an engaging performer and Bova just a doll. Day and Cardinale are terrific also as the delinquents. Then, what could be more beautiful than the Italian Tuscany, with its put your eyes out glory? With a funny script that is a mixture of languages and a tireless direction, this trip is well worth taking. Romcom fans, all roads lead to enjoyment if you make the trip to find this nice little flick.
... View More"A woman takes what she wants, when she wants it." Maggie (Parker) is starting to lose touch with her daughter Summer (Day). In an effort to reconnect they take a trip to Italy. Maggie sees this as a bonding experience but Summer sees it as punishment and is worried about her boyfriend who she left. When Maggie reconnects with a former love it only enforces Summer's desire to return home and she takes a car, and a grandma, and will stop at nothing to fly home. Maggie will stop at nothing to stop her. This is really not that bad of a movie. Generic and formulaic but still worth seeing and I actually enjoyed watching this. The movie is pretty predictable but it is a romantic comedy so that is to be expected. In terms of chick-flicks I have seen worse and while this is nothing super outstanding it was better than I was expecting and I laughed quite a bit. Overall, nothing original or unexpected but still worth your time. Much better than I was expecting. I give this a B.
... View MoreThis film tells the story of a divorced woman who takes her teenage daughter to Italy, in order to find the Italian man who swept her of her feet for two months twenty years ago."All Roads Lead to Rome" is fun to watch because it's a comedy and a romantic comedy in one. The comedy part is the daughter Summer and her moodiness, and the subsequent road trip that leads to much hilarity. The romantic comedy part is quite sweet because there are three different relationships in the film, and viewers will have different evaluations of the three relationships. The last scene is romantic and touching. The scenery is beautiful, and the woman playing the TV journalist is very beautiful as well! It's refreshing to see Sarah Jessica Parker in an entertaining film. I enjoyed watching it.
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